SPIDER-MAN IS EVERYMAN

More coverage online at

Two years ago, when Andrew Garfield made a surprise Comic-Con appearance dressed in a Spider-Man costume, it became a classic Hall H moment. This time around, to promote “The Amazing Spider-Man 2,” the panel was almost as fun.

Things began with director Marc Webb showing a short video of Spider-Man scaling the walls of Petco Park, the Hard Rock Hotel and the Convention Center. Minutes later, Garfield walked into the room once again dressed as Spidey.

But rather than take off his mask like he did in 2011, he kept his face covered and answered questions in character, saying things like “Who is Andrew Garfield? I thought Eduardo Saverin played me.” (Garfield portrayed Saverin in “The Social Network.”)

After an exclusive look at the film, which revealed that Jamie Foxx’s Electro will be the main villain, Garfield re-emerged as himself and once again had the same enthusiasm he had two years ago. That excitement could explain why almost all the fan questions during the Q&A were directed at him, including one about same-sex marriage.

“Spider-Man stands for everyone,” he said. “The beauty of Spider-Man is that he’s covered head-to-toe, so there’s no color, no sexual orientation. He’s a hero who stands up for the underdog and those who need protecting.”

The panel also included beatboxing and jokes from Foxx, a video appearance by Emma Stone and praise for Spidey creator Stan Lee.

“The Amazing Spider-Man 2” is scheduled for release on April 17, 2014.

Nina Garin • u-t

Fans lined up early to see ‘Game of Thrones’ panel

There were a lot of stars in Hall H on Friday: Garfield, Vin Diesel, Kristen Bell, John Leguizamo. But the loudest, most excited fans were there to get an in-depth look at HBO’s “Game of Thrones.”

This panel that featured stars Peter Dinklage, Richard Madden, Michelle Fairley, Kit Harrington, Rose Leslie and Emilia Clarke was the reason people lined up in the middle of the night.

The fans were treated to fun, insider treats, including an “In Memoriam” video that honored the many, many dead characters set to Boyz II Men music, and a deleted scene. There was so much cheering and hollering and laughing that the panel felt a lot more like a rock concert than a geeky discussion about dragons.

N.G.

‘Veronica Mars’ reunion celebrates upcoming movie

“Veronica Mars,” the CW TV show that became a Kickstarter-funded movie, celebrated its fans at Comic-Con.

The series about a teenage private eye was filmed in San Diego, and it was here that the cast made its first public reunion. Favorites like Bell, Enrico Colantoni, Jason Dohring, Ryan Hansen and show creator Rob Thomas were all in Hall H to discuss the film that was funded ($5.7 million) by fans.

“We like to be with people who like our show,” Dohring said. “So (the Kickstarter) was incredibly emotional for us.”

Following the fan film, footage of the upcoming movie was previewed, revealing that actress Jamie Lee Curtis will have a part.

N.G.

Producers of ‘Walking Dead’ promise more blood, zombies

Last year, the producers of AMC’s “The Walking Dead” came to Hall H and told more than 6,000 fans that Season 3 was going to get crazy.

They returned one year later with promises that the upcoming Season 4 (beginning Oct. 13) is going to be even more outrageous.

And exclusive footage shown at Comic-Con supported those statements. The short clip was filled with blood, tears and so many angry zombies.

N.G.

Idea generated in San Diego brings award 20 years later

The inspiration for Milestone came to Denys Cowans one summer day in San Diego. As one of his friends remembered, it seemed like a bad idea at the time.

“We’re at Comic-Con, walking the floor,” said Michael Davis, “and he stopped and said, ‘We should put together … an African-American comic book company.’ ”

Davis’ initial response: “That’s the stupidest idea I’ve ever heard.”

But Cowans was serious and eventually persuaded Davis and three other African-American comics pros — Derek Dingle, Dwayne McDuffie and Christopher Priest — to join him. Twenty years ago, they founded Milestone, the first African-American-owned comics company.

On Friday, the five founders received the Inkpot Award, an honor Comic-Con International bestows on industry leaders.